NTSB Records Point to Distractions in Philadelphia Barge-Tourist Boat Accident

Records from the National Transportation Safety Board point to cell phone use by the mate operating the tugboat, as a critical factor in the deadly collision between a barge and a Ride the Ducks tugboat last year. According to the National Transportation Safety Board, the mate, Matt Devlin, was on the phone checking in on a family emergency. His son was going through a medical procedure, and had suffered a life-threatening condition. Devlin's attention was completely focused on his family crisis, and according to cell phone records, he was on the phone at least 21 times between 12:22 PM and 2:38 PM on the day of the accident. The Ride the Ducks boat had suffered a malfunction and had stalled in the water. At the time the barge plowed into the tourist boat, Devlin was on a six-minute phone call with his mother. There were 37 passengers on the tourist boat, and all of them fell into the water. Two passengers drowned. From all accounts, Devlin did not inform his fellow crewmembers of his family issues. According to K-Sea Transportation which owns the tugboat, if Devlin had informed the company about his personal problems, the company would have had someone relieve him. The tugboat company has since banned the personal use of cell phones for crew members on duty. While the issue of distracted driving as a factor in highway safety has been closely examined, the effects of distractions, including those from cell phones, on vessel operators continues to be neglected. This terrible accident should be the wake-up call that forces maritime transportation agencies to review their policies regarding cell phone uses while operating vessels. If you have been injured in a maritime or offshore accident, contact a maritime attorney at my firm for a free evaluation of your case.

Legal notice about the NTSB Records Point to Distractions in Philadelphia Barge-Tourist Boat Accident rubric : Hukuki Net Legal News is not responsible for the privacy statements or other content from Web sites outside of the Hukuki.net site. Please refer the progenitor link to check the legal entity of this resource hereinabove.

NTSB Records Point to Distractions in Philadelphia Barge-Tourist Boat Accident

Records from the National Transportation Safety Board point to cell phone use by the mate operating the tugboat, as a critical factor in the deadly collision between a barge and a Ride the Ducks tugboat last year. According to the National Transportation Safety Board, the mate, Matt Devlin, was on the phone checking in on a family emergency. His son was going through a medical procedure, and had suffered a life-threatening condition. Devlin's attention was completely focused on his family crisis, and according to cell phone records, he was on the phone at least 21 times between 12:22 PM and 2:38 PM on the day of the accident. The Ride the Ducks boat had suffered a malfunction and had stalled in the water. At the time the barge plowed into the tourist boat, Devlin was on a six-minute phone call with his mother. There were 37 passengers on the tourist boat, and all of them fell into the water. Two passengers drowned. From all accounts, Devlin did not inform his fellow crewmembers of his family issues. According to K-Sea Transportation which owns the tugboat, if Devlin had informed the company about his personal problems, the company would have had someone relieve him. The tugboat company has since banned the personal use of cell phones for crew members on duty. While the issue of distracted driving as a factor in highway safety has been closely examined, the effects of distractions, including those from cell phones, on vessel operators continues to be neglected. This terrible accident should be the wake-up call that forces maritime transportation agencies to review their policies regarding cell phone uses while operating vessels. If you have been injured in a maritime or offshore accident, contact a maritime attorney at my firm for a free evaluation of your case.

Legal notice about the NTSB Records Point to Distractions in Philadelphia Barge-Tourist Boat Accident rubric : Hukuki Net Legal News is not responsible for the privacy statements or other content from Web sites outside of the Hukuki.net site. Please refer the progenitor link to check the legal entity of this resource hereinabove.

NTSB Records Point to Distractions in Philadelphia Barge-Tourist Boat Accident

Records from the National Transportation Safety Board point to cell phone use by the mate operating the tugboat, as a critical factor in the deadly collision between a barge and a Ride the Ducks tugboat last year. According to the National Transportation Safety Board, the mate, Matt Devlin, was on the phone checking in on a family emergency. His son was going through a medical procedure, and had suffered a life-threatening condition. Devlin's attention was completely focused on his family crisis, and according to cell phone records, he was on the phone at least 21 times between 12:22 PM and 2:38 PM on the day of the accident. The Ride the Ducks boat had suffered a malfunction and had stalled in the water. At the time the barge plowed into the tourist boat, Devlin was on a six-minute phone call with his mother. There were 37 passengers on the tourist boat, and all of them fell into the water. Two passengers drowned. From all accounts, Devlin did not inform his fellow crewmembers of his family issues. According to K-Sea Transportation which owns the tugboat, if Devlin had informed the company about his personal problems, the company would have had someone relieve him. The tugboat company has since banned the personal use of cell phones for crew members on duty. While the issue of distracted driving as a factor in highway safety has been closely examined, the effects of distractions, including those from cell phones, on vessel operators continues to be neglected. This terrible accident should be the wake-up call that forces maritime transportation agencies to review their policies regarding cell phone uses while operating vessels. If you have been injured in a maritime or offshore accident, contact a maritime attorney at my firm for a free evaluation of your case.

Legal notice about the NTSB Records Point to Distractions in Philadelphia Barge-Tourist Boat Accident rubric : Hukuki Net Legal News is not responsible for the privacy statements or other content from Web sites outside of the Hukuki.net site. Please refer the progenitor link to check the legal entity of this resource hereinabove.